Ball Honors House opened its doors on Friday, December 11th, from 11:30-2 for Honors students and faculty to eat food, converse, and celebrate the upcoming holiday break. The annual Honors Holiday Luncheon is usually a merry and social event for the Honors community, and this year’s event was no different.

The food spread included fruit, vegetables, cheese and crackers, pulled chicken and pork, and an array of holiday desserts, as well as punch and water to drink. Students especially enjoyed the food, finding it a nice reprieve from a dining hall or apartment lunch.

“There is way more food than I expected, so I would encourage people to come next year if only for the great food,” sophomore Honors student Brooke Mayer said.

After they ate food, students were welcome to write their names on bulb ornaments and hang them on one of the two Honors House Christmas trees. The ornaments hold a special significance; they are kept from year to year, making the tree a kind of archive of some of the Honors students that have passed through its doors.

“Every ornament on the tree is from Honors College Students, past and present. Some students will come back in the following years and try to look for it on the tree,” Kristy Dishamn, one of the coordinators of the event, said.

Coralee Young, another primary organizer of the event, explained why she thinks the students keep coming back year after year.

“It’s nice for the students, and to see how much they enjoy it, especially since it has been held in the Honors House--I think they especially enjoy that homey, inviting feel of the event.”

Sophomore student Maren Orchard felt that inviting presence, and was glad to have a chance to socialize with others in the community: “It’s fun to mingle with some students and professors before the holiday,” she said.

​Overall, the event was a success, and the community looks forward to many more years of this treasured tradition.